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September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness and inspire action to end hunger in America. In this episode of Just a Bite, host Eliza Richardson is joined by Audrey Vanzant, director of communications at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and project manager for the 2026 Hunger Study.  Together, they discuss findings from the latest statewide survey of Ohio food pantry visitors and share what more than 2,600 neighbors told us about the realities of putting food on the table today. They explore the difficult tradeoffs many households face, the connection between food insecurity and health, the role of public benefit programs, and the importance of listening directly to people with lived experience.  The episode also features stories from neighbors across Ohio, including Charmaine and Joanne, whose experiences illustrate the challenges behind the data and the resilience of Ohio families.  Resources  Read the full Hunger Study 2026 Report at ohiofoodbanks.org/HungerStudy  Learn more about Hunger Action Month here!  About Just a Bite  Just a Bite is a podcast from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks exploring issues related to food and nutrition security in Ohio. Through conversations with experts, practitioners, advocates, and community leaders, we aim to provide listeners with timely information and actionable insights.  Connect With Us  Website: OhioFoodbanks.org and our podcast website   Newsletter/Advocacy Action Alerts: https://ohiofoodbanks.quorum.us/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioFoodbanks   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-association-of-foodbanks/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohiofoodbanks/  Take Action  After listening to this episode, consider:  Sharing this show with a friend, family member, or neighbor  Connecting with your local foodbank or pantry  Signing up for updates from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks  Participating in an upcoming event or advocacy opportunity  Learning more at OhioFoodbanks.org  Subscribe & Share  If you enjoyed this show, consider subscribing to our podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Leave a review and share it with your network to help others learn more about issues related to food and nutrition security in Ohio and across the country.

In this episode of Just a Bite, host Sarah Kuhns speaks with Maureen Allen, director of community service at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks about the new Healthy Harvest Corp program operating in the hunger relief network in Ohio. Next, Sarah interviews Tinu Daboiku, Healthy Harvest Corp volunteer at the Foodbank Inc, about his service through this program over the summer. Together, they discuss what the Healthy Harvest Corps is, what their service projects consist of, and why they decided to serve their community in this way.   Whether you're at an organization that is interested in being a host site, someone who is interested in serving your community, or simply interested in learning more about AmeriCorps, especially the new Healthy Harvest Corps program, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical information.  Thank you to ServeOhio, Ohio's commission on service and volunteerism, for their support of this program. Resources Mentioned  Look at all AmeriCorps positions across the country here.   Look at open AmeriCorps positions through the Ohio hunger relief network here.   About Our Guest  Tinu Daboiku is a Healthy Harvest Corps volunteer at the Foodbank, Inc, in Dayton, Ohio. He also runs a business called Glorified Dirt, LLC, “providing communities with sustainable solutions and creating healthier soil for more robust food systems and a sustainable future. You can learn more here.   About Just a Bite  Just a Bite is a podcast from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks exploring issues related to food and nutrition security in Ohio. Through conversations with experts, practitioners, advocates, and community leaders, we aim to provide listeners with timely information and actionable insights.  Connect With Us  Website: OhioFoodbanks.org / https://just-a-bite.castos.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioFoodbanks  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-association-of-foodbanks/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohiofoodbanks/  Take Action  After listening to this episode, consider:     Applying for or learning more about AmeriCorps      Sharing this resource with a friend, family member, or client     Contacting your local foodbank or pantry     Signing up for updates from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks     Participating in an upcoming event or advocacy opportunity     Learning more at Ohiofoodbanks.org  Subscribe & Share  If you enjoyed this show, consider subscribing to our podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Leave a review, and share it with your network to help others learn more about issues related to food and nutrition security in Ohio and across the country.

In this episode of Just a Bite, host Hope Lane-Gavin, OAF’s Director of Nutrition Policy and Programs speaks internally with Ohio Association of Foodbanks staff members: starting with Carrie Harshbarger, OAF’s Senior Director of Food Supply Chain, then to Grace Wagner, our Director of Health Initiatives and finally to Gregory Pruden, our long-time IT consultant.     Together, they have some fun highlighting the importance of the local food supply chain by overviewing Ohio’s vast summer farmers market network.  Whether you're a member of a local food policy council, a farmer’s market aficionado, or simply interested in learning more about the local food supply chain, this conversation offers valuable insights and practical information in addition to new voices from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks!  Resources  Find a farmers market near you here.   Learn more about farmers markets in Ohio through the Ohio Farmers Market Network here.   Learn more about doubling your SNAP dollars through Produce Perks.   Learn more about the co-ops and farm stores Carrie mentioned during her segment, the Winchester Farm Exchange and the Beechwold Farm Market.   About Just a Bite  Just a Bite is a podcast from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks exploring issues related to food and nutrition security in Ohio. Through conversations with experts, practitioners, advocates, and community leaders, we aim to provide listeners with timely information and actionable insights.  Connect With Us  Website: OhioFoodbanks.org and our podcast website   Newsletter/Advocacy Action Alerts: https://ohiofoodbanks.quorum.us/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioFoodbanks   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ohio-association-of-foodbanks/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohiofoodbanks/    Take Action  After listening to this episode, consider:  Checking out your local farmer’s market or co-op  Sharing this show with a friend, family member, or neighbor  Connecting with your local foodbank or pantry  Signing up for updates from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks  Participating in an upcoming event or advocacy opportunity  Learning more at OhioFoodbanks.org  Subscribe & Share  If you enjoyed this show, consider subscribing to our podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Leave a review and share it with your network to help others learn more about issues related to food and nutrition security in Ohio and across the country.

Summer is here in Ohio! While many families look forward to taking a break from school, and spending more time together outdoors, summer for many Ohio families means less food to feed their children. In Ohio, thousands of children depend on the meals they receive from the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to keep them fed and nourished throughout the school day. However, when these meals disappear during the summertime, families with children struggle to fill this gap and put enough food on the table throughout the summer months.   In this episode, we sit down with Shannon Amos, Vice President of Programs at the Children’s Hunger Alliance (CHA) to discuss the resources available to families who may be experiencing this gap in meals. Resources such as Summer Meal Sites, and Summer EBT/SUN Bucks can help to support families with children during the summertime.     References:   To find a summer meal site nearest you, visit: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Food-and-Nutrition/Summer-Food-Service-Program.   To learn more about the summer feeding resources that are available to families, visit: https://childrenshungeralliance.org/SUMMER/   To find out if you are eligible for Summer EBT/SUN Bucks, or to fill out an application, visit: https://sebt.ohio.gov/apply/   For outreach materials that can help to educate families about the resources available to them this summer, visit: https://ohiosummerebt.org/outreach-materials/    Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every month!   Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take our latest hunger fighting action.   Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger. Our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.   For more information, visit us at ohiofoodbanks.org.

May is National Older Americans Month, and in this episode of Just a Bite, we highlight an important program helping combat senior hunger in our communities: the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), also known as the “Senior Box.” CSFP is a federal program that provides adults age 60 and older with low incomes a monthly box of nutritious, shelf-stable USDA foods. These boxes include everyday essentials like cereal, pasta, peanut butter, canned goods, cheese, and juice—ingredients that help support health and food security. To see the program in action, we visited Second Harvest Food Bank of Champaign, Clark, and Logan Counties, where participants in a local senior center cooking class turn these simple ingredients into delicious meals. From stories to hands-on cooking, this episode offers a closer look at how food access brings both nourishment and community. Special thanks to Natasha at Second Harvest Food Bank CCL and the seniors who shared their time, experience, and recipe tips. Are you interested in learning more about CSFP or intersted in volunteering to pack these boxes? Learn more about the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): https://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp Find your local foodbank: Foodbanks - Ohio Association of Foodbanks Second Harvest Food Bank (Champaign, Clark & Logan Counties): https://www.theshfb.org Thanks for listening to Just a Bite! Be sure to subscribe, share, and join us next time for another bite.

April is National Volunteer Month! Volunteers make it possible for our member food banks to serve millions of meals each year. Without our volunteers, the work of our foodbanks would not be possible. In this episode, we sit down with Susan, a dedicated long-term volunteer with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, who shares her experiences, motivations, and the impact of giving back through volunteering. Susan offers a firsthand look at how volunteering strengthens Ohio’s hunger relief network, and communities across Ohio. A special thank you to Susan for sharing her story with us, and to all our volunteers for their continued dedication to serving food insecure Ohioans. References: To learn more about volunteering at your local foodbank, visit ohiofoodbanks.org/how-to-help/. Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every month! Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take our latest hunger fighting action. Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger. Our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

This March, we are doing something a little different for the podcast. We are giving you a peek behind the curtain on what we call our “fly-in” which we do every year. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks, our member foodbanks and hundreds of other foodbanks from across the country fly to DC in the spring to meet with their members of Congress, talk about what we are seeing in our communities, and what solutions we would like to see to alleviate need and support the families we serve.  This year is no different, with Ohio foodbanks flying in almost 20 representatives from 7 foodbanks all across the state to meet with 12 of our 15 members of Congress and 2 U.S. Senators, with support from Feeding America. In this episode, we want share what it's like to spend about 36 hours in DC engaging with your elected officials and representing your organization alongside other Ohioans. We want to thank Julie Chase Morefield at the Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio, Natalie Canter at the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, Hallie Carrino-Lee at the Mid Ohio Food Collective and Rachel Rives for sharing more insight about our time in DC.   References:   To learn more about the Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio, visit their website here.   To learn more about the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, visit their website here.   To learn more about the Mid Ohio Food Collective, visit their website here.   To learn more about the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, the innovative ways Ohio foodbanks are meeting the nutritional needs of older Ohioans, and how the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act can help, check out this Ohio Association of Foodbanks report.   To learn more about hunger and poverty in your county, check out our UPDATED county fact sheets!  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!        Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take  our latest hunger-fighting actions!             Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

In this episode, we sit down for a second time with Maura, a SNAP recipient from Clark County, Ohio to get an update on her experience of being a victim of SNAP Skimming. If you have not listened to our original episode with Maura, listen to our episode titled ‘Stolen at the Checkout: A SNAP Skimming Story’, which was released in January of 2026. A year after we recorded this episode with Maura in February of 2025, we are sitting down with her again to discuss her experience in the last year with SNAP benefit theft, updates to her SNAP case, how her family adjusted through the longest government shutdown in history, and discuss potential policy changes that can protect SNAP beneficiaries from benefit theft. We are so excited to have Maura back on the podcast, and cannot thank her enough for trusting us with her story. References: Senate Bill 315 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio Senate  House Bill 163 | 136th General Assembly | Ohio House of Representatives   Thieves stole $17M in Ohio food stamp benefits. One change could help   Federal Government Shutdown - Ohio Association of Foodbanks  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week! Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take our latest hunger-fighting actions! Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

In this month’s episode, we dive into the crime that has been hitting SNAP recipients heavily: SNAP Skimming. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of SNAP recipients have had their benefits stolen off their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card through skimming devices that have been placed at retail grocery stores around the country. In this episode, originally recorded in February 2025, we sit down with SNAP Skimming victim, Maura, to uncover the struggles and hardship that she, along with thousands of other SNAP households have experienced because of SNAP benefit theft. Between June 2023 and December 2024, about 30,000 Ohio households have had upwards of $13 million dollars of SNAP benefits stolen. Up until December 2024, SNAP recipients who were skimmed of their benefits were able to apply for reimbursement through their local or state agency. However, Congress did not extend the authorization to replace these stolen benefits in the December 2024 Continuing Resolution (H.R. 10545), leaving households without their benefits and no avenue to receiving reimbursement. SNAP skimming continues to rise throughout the State of Ohio, and the country, putting greater pressure on strained call centers, Ohio’s Legal Aid offices, and Ohio foodbanks, all while eroding consumer trust in the nation’s first line of defense against hunger. Resources: If you are a SNAP participant, please follow these tips to better protect your benefits from theft: - Manage your benefits by downloading the secure ConnectEBT app on your mobile phone or tablet. Through the App’s card lock features, users can enable a feature that requires the user to unlock their EBT prior to making any purchases, including in-state - Create a PIN for your card that is unique and difficult to guess. - Change your PIN monthly, before each scheduled deposit. - Never share your card number or PIN. ODJFS will never ask for these numbers. - Carefully examine point-of-sale card readers before using them to check for skimming devices. - When using your card, cover the keypad with your body or hand to stop others from seeing your PIN. - Notify store staff if you notice anything suspicious with the card reader. To learn more about SNAP, check out our other episodes in the show notes: SNAP Benefits Reaching into our State Correctional Facilities: https://episodes.castos.com/611feec70cdf90-07541105/1637899/c1e-9q31paozpg7s076p8-498m1m2kh83d-ielfts.mp3 Ohioans on SNAP share their stories: https://episodes.castos.com/611feec70cdf90-07541105/1470113/JAB-Ep-41-SNAP-FINAL.mp3 SNAP Outreach: Thoughts from the field: https://episodes.castos.com/611feec70cdf90-07541105/30703/9156ed69-ac52-433c-8604-3221354d5818/JAB-EP-15.mp3 If you need assistance accessing food, Ohio foodbanks are here to help. To find out what foodbank serves your county, please visit ohiofoodbanks.org/foodbanks. To take action against SNAP benefit theft, please contact your member of Congress, especially if you have been a victim of skimming, to share your story and how it has impacted you, your family, and your financial situation. Citations: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/stolen-benefits https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/10545/text

On July 4th, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as HR1, which changed many aspects of nutrition programming in the United States. Among the multitude of provisions included in HR1 was the effective termination of all required funding for SNAP-Ed past September 30th, 2025. SNAP-Ed, which stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, was a federally funded program that supported nutrition education and policy, systems, and environment changes in low-income communities. The removal of funding for SNAP-Ed will significantly impact low-income communities across the country and only widen healthcare disparities through the removal of vital nutrition education.   We sat down with former SNAP-Ed staff members, Ana Claudia Zubieta, Pat Bebo, Mona Lisa Hoffman, and Marsha McCormick to hear about the incredible work SNAP-Ed has done throughout Ohio communities over the past 3 decades, and what the removal of funding for this program means for vulnerable Ohioans.     References:  For more information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, visit https://benefits.ohio.gov/home/resources/assistance-programs/01-snap.   Applying for SNAP is often a long and confusing process. But our network of application assisters are here to help! Visit www.ohiofoodbanks.org/get-help/apply-for-snap/ to get in contact with an application assister near you!   You can find recipes from Celebrate Your Plate by visiting www.celebrateyourplate.org/.   You can also find us on Instagram @celebrateyourplate, or by visiting https://www.instagram.com/celebrateyourplate/ , and on Pinterest @celebrateyourplate, or by visiting www.pinterest.com/celebrateyourplate/.   For more information regarding the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, visit fcs.osu.edu/programs/nutrition/efnep. Visit today to find out if you are eligible, and where to find your nearest nutrition education program!   You are likely eligible for WIC if you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman; a woman who recently had a baby; are the parent of an infant’s birth through 12 months, or the parent of a child age 1 to 5 years; who are:  Determined by health professionals to be at medical/nutritional risk.  Meets income guidelines - 185% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.  Visit https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/women-infants-children for more information, and to find out if you are eligible!   Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!        Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take  our latest hunger-fighting actions!             Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we’re kicking off the holiday season with a warm and joyful episode that celebrates gratitude, traditions, and all the delicious moments that make this time of year so special. This month we bring you a heartwarming look inside our office as staff members answer some fun and thoughtful Thanksgiving-inspired questions. From favorite to cherished memories to meaningful traditions, this episode is all about reflecting on what brings us together both around the table and within our community. You’ll hear stories that spark nostalgia, laughter, and maybe even a bit of hunger as we dive into everyone’s must-have holiday foods. Whether you're gearing up for your own celebration or just looking to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, this episode is sure to bring warmth to your day and remind you of the small joys that make this season meaningful. Hit play and join us in celebrating gratitude, togetherness, and the traditions that make Thanksgiving unforgettable.  Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!        Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take  our latest hunger-fighting actions!             Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

In celebration of National Farmers Day on October 12th, we’re shining a spotlight on the hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our food system. In this special episode external affairs intern Lily Stenroos and external affairs manager Sarah Kuhns sit down with Alex Bieri from Michael Farms, a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and a dedicated voice in the farming community. Farming isn’t just about planting seeds, it’s about feeding communities, preserving the land, and carrying on traditions that shape our way of life. Alex shares the importance of midsized farm production and the process of getting fresh produce to stores like Kroger and Meijer. Whether you come from a farming background or just want to better understand where your food comes from, this heartfelt conversation will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the people behind the produce.  Don’t miss this powerful episode! Hit play and celebrate the farmers who nourish us all.  References:   For more information on Michael Farms, click here. For Farm Market location click here. Hours are Monday–Saturday, 9 AM – 5 PM during the farm season.    Other helpful resources:   Ohio Farm Bureau Federation: https://ofbf.org  Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA): https://agri.ohio.gov   Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!        Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take  our latest hunger-fighting actions!             Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

This Hunger Action Day, Director of Nutrition Policy and Programs at the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Hope Lane-Gavin, sits down with Executive Director, Joree Novotny, to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (also referred to as HR 1 or Budget Reconciliation), and the expected impacts it will have on people facing hunger in the State of Ohio. HR1 was signed into law on July 4th, 2025, and includes many provisions that will impact those who rely on our network, and those who rely on public benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. In a time when the cost of living continues to rise, and more people are turning to public assistance to make ends meet, HR1 introduces a dangerous new territory for public benefits across the country. Listen to hear more about how the ‘cost-savings’ approved in HR1 are expected to impact the real lives of Ohioans facing hunger.     References:   More than 130,000 Ohio households to see an $1,150 annual reduction in SNAP benefits, and rural counties are hit the hardest.    SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare in the federal reconciliation bill  Food, housing, and healthcare costs are sources of major stress for many people - AP-NORC   Why do grocery prices continue to rise?    Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!        Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take our latest hunger-fighting actions!       Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger, and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.

Welcome back to Just a Bite! After a few months away, we are diving back in with a discussion with Ohio Association of Foodbanks Executive Director, Joree Novotny, to discuss the 2026-2027 Ohio State Biennium Operating Budget, and its impacts on our hunger relief network, and food insecure Ohioans. We are grateful to Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Tressel and the Ohio General Assembly for their continued commitment to Ohio’s hunger relief network in the biennial state budget.   In the 2026-2027 biennial budget, our food bank network received a total of $24.55 million, which is $7.3 million less than the previous budget, returning the states biennial budget back pre-Covid funding levels. Although funding levels for hunger relief in the state of Ohio have returned to pre-covid levels, our network continues to see record breaking visits to our food banks each quarter. With fewer resources to feed our neighbors, and inflation continuing to rise, our capacity is stretching even thinner. Tune in to hear how this state budget is expected to impact on our network, our food programs, and our neighbors.     References:   Ohio Association of Foodbanks Statement on the Passage of Sub H.B. 96 - July 1, 2025  Ohio Association of Foodbanks - 2024 Annual Report – see page 7 for a breakdown of food sources, as distributed.   As of July 1, 2025, the Ohio Association of Foodbanks no longer retains dollars and food from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA).   Learn more about the Ohio Food Program and Agricultural Clerance Program!  Food Inflation in the United States - U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics  For more information on the demand facing Ohio’s foodbanks, visit The Ohio Capital Journal      Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!          Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take our latest hunger-fighting actions!             Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in ne...

Thank you for tuning in to this special episode of Just a Bite, featuring live audio from Friends of the Foodbanks Lobby Day on February 12, 2025. Our foodbank network and advocates met with Ohio’s 136th General Assembly to urge $50 million per year in state funding for the Ohio Agricultural Clearance Program (ACP) and Ohio Food Program (OFP)—essential resources that help foodbanks provide fresh, nutritious food to communities across the state.  Despite record levels of need, state funding for these programs were cut by $7.5 million per year in Governor DeWine’s executive budget, reducing total funding to $24.55 million annually. We are calling on lawmakers to restore these cuts and increase funding to meet the growing demand.  A special thank you to our luncheon panelists for sharing their invaluable insights on the connection between food access, agriculture, and community resilience:  Pastor Susan Roark, Faith Fellowship  Manoj Kumar, Sherwin-Williams  Alex Buck, Fresh Forward Farms & Fruit Growers Marketing Association  Pete Dorley, Keystone Meats  Moderator: Joree Novotny, Ohio Association of Foodbanks  Please note that the audio isn’t ideal. We appreciate your understanding of this special episode and thank you for listening.    References:   Read recent news coverage on what these budget cuts mean for Ohio’s foodbanks.  Ohio foodbanks face funding cuts in proposed state budget  OH food banks face fed funding uncertainty DeWine budget cuts / Public News Service  Food Banks in Ohio are raising the alarm about funding Learn more about our request here: Our Statewide Request for Hunger Relief Funding in the 2026-27 State Biennial Budget - Ohio Association of Foodbanks  Watch the full video referred to in the episode here: Friends of Foodbanks State Lobby Day Video 2025    Enjoyed this episode? Please leave a review and subscribe to get episodes in your podcast feed as soon as we upload them every other week!        Want more updates? Follow us on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn, and take our latest hunger-fighting actions!   Ohio Association of Foodbanks is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization without party affiliation or bias. We are Ohio’s largest charitable response to hunger and our mission is to assist Ohio’s 12 Feeding America foodbanks in providing food and other resources to people in need and to pursue areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need.